Work on Abu Dhabi’s Makers District Begins

May 14, 2017

“IMKAN is setting out to create a dynamic, integrated and engaging community that captures the collaborative spirit of the maker movement,” says Walid El Hindi, CEO. “This journey begins with The-Artery, which will be a regional creative powerhouse in the heart of Abu Dhabi.”
An 18-hectare masterplan development on Abu Dhabi’s popular Reem Island, Makers District will be a new waterfront community designed specifically to cultivate creativity. The project will consist of residential complexes that consist of more than 4,000 homes, hospitality outlets and commercial and retail spaces. It will also house an art hotel and a small marina. In guaranteeing the artistic environment of the upcoming district, Abu Dhabi-based developers IMKAN have made sure to partner with some of the world’s leading architecture and design firms, and recently unveiled the first building of the development, The-Artery.

To sit in the centre of Makers District, The-Artery will offer creatives a place to work and showcase their projects. Spanning 26,000 square metres, the multi-use building will be designed by international architecture firm BIG, while MVRDV and 10 Design begin work on other aspects of phase one. A seven-storey, domed structure, The-Artery will have a central atrium that also functions as a performance space.

“IMKAN is committed to creative soulful places that enrich people’s lives both in the UAE and overseas,” says El Hindi, in reference to the company’s strong research base that focuses on identifying trends and creative solutions. “As we make progress with the Makers District Aby Dhabi, our intention is to roll out the concept in Egypt, Brazil, Morocco, the UK and Montenegro.”

Construction on The-Artery is slated for late 2017, while the Makers District is scheduled to be operational by 2020.